IDB Mayors Meeting gathers Latin American leaders in Colombia

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the 2026 Mayors Meeting in Colombia, bringing together leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss urban challenges and development.

In Barranquilla, Mayor Alejandro Char highlighted the city's progress and called for greater financial autonomy among local governments to address infrastructure and social needs. The event also featured discussions on digital trust and accessible housing.

In Bogotá, the meeting coincided with a report from Asocapitales warning that 3.27 million urban workers in Colombia's major cities face high vulnerability to artificial intelligence, necessitating labor reconversion programs. Federico Susbielles, Mayor of Bahía Blanca, also participated, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning and regional cooperation.